Position: Secondary Band Teacher (Grades 9–12)

Supervisor: School Principal

Overview

Bernalillo Public Schools is seeking dedicated, reflective, and student-centered Secondary Music Teachers who are committed to academic excellence, artistic expression, and preparing students for college, career, and civic life.

Secondary Music Teachers serve as content experts, conductors, performers, mentors, and advocates for adolescents. They cultivate students' musical knowledge, technical skills, creativity, and appreciation for music through engaging, standards-based instruction in vocal and/or instrumental music. Music teachers create inclusive learning environments where students develop confidence, collaboration, discipline, and artistic expression while participating in meaningful performance experiences.

Because the music program is an integral part of the school community, this position requires participation in activities beyond the regular school day, including rehearsals, concerts, festivals, athletic events, school and community performances, and district-approved summer music activities such as band camp. Strong relationships, relevance, and high expectations are central to teaching and learning in Bernalillo Public Schools.

Our Community

Bernalillo Public Schools honors the historic homelands of the Pueblo people and the shared contributions of the Pueblo people and descendants of Spanish settlers to establish vibrant communities now and in the future. We serve a close-knit, rural community with a richly diverse student population, including many Hispanic and Native American students whose families maintain deep ties to culture, language, land, and community life. Many students are bilingual or multilingual, creating opportunities for instruction that integrate language development and content learning. Teaching in Bernalillo means partnering closely with families, honoring students' identities, and delivering rigorous, engaging instruction that builds on students' strengths while holding high expectations for learning and growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Deliver High-Quality, Standards-Based Music Instruction

Internalize and effectively implement the district-adopted high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), including understanding instructional intent, standards alignment, and learning progressions embedded within the curriculum.
Prepare intentionally for instruction by analyzing lesson objectives, anticipated student misconceptions, academic language demands, and opportunities for student discourse, rehearsal, and performance.
Use HQIM as the primary foundation for instruction, making purposeful adjustments as needed to support diverse learners while maintaining alignment to grade-level standards and curriculum integrity.
Deliver rigorous, engaging instruction aligned to New Mexico Music Standards in vocal, instrumental, or general music.
Teach music theory, music literacy, harmony, rhythm, tempo, expression, performance techniques, music history, and cultural context through singing, playing instruments, listening, movement, composition, improvisation, and performance.
Design engaging learning experiences that expose students to a variety of musical styles, genres, cultures, and historical traditions while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and artistic expression.
Incorporate direct instruction, discussion, cooperative learning, technology, projects, rehearsal, and performance to actively engage students in music learning.
Provide opportunities for students to interpret musical scores, compose original music, improvise, perform individually and collaboratively, and develop technical proficiency.
Introduce students to appropriate vocal and instrumental techniques and assess individual student growth and instructional needs.
Organize, rehearse, and direct school choirs, bands, orchestras, ensembles, concerts, festivals, and other performances as assigned.
Integrate literacy, academic language development, and critical thinking into daily instruction through standards-aligned learning experiences.
Reflect on student learning and instructional outcomes to continuously improve instructional practice.

Support Adolescent Development and Engagement

Build strong, respectful relationships with students that promote trust, belonging, and high expectations.
Create classroom and rehearsal environments that encourage student voice, collaboration, creativity, leadership, and academic risk-taking.
Support students' development of self-advocacy, responsibility, goal-setting, and artistic confidence.
Establish classroom routines and rehearsal procedures that promote safety, responsibility, and respectful care of instruments, equipment, uniforms, and facilities.
Follow district policies and procedures regarding student conduct, attendance, and discipline.

Use Data and Assessment to Improve Outcomes

Design and use formative and summative assessments to monitor student understanding, musical growth, and progress toward standards.
Consistently use formative assessment during instruction and rehearsal to adjust pacing, instructional strategies, scaffolds, grouping, and feedback to meet student needs while maintaining rigorous Tier 1 instruction.
Analyze assessment data to identify patterns in student learning and strengthen core instruction before implementing additional interventions.
Provide timely, specific, and actionable feedback that supports student reflection, growth, and ownership of learning.
Collaborate with colleagues to review student data, calibrate expectations, and strengthen instructional practices.

Collaborate with Families and Colleagues

Communicate clearly and consistently with families regarding student progress, performances, expectations, and support strategies.
Work collaboratively with the principal regarding program planning, scheduling, equipment needs, inventory, and budget priorities.
Participate actively in professional learning communities, department teams, school initiatives, performances, and district events.
Partner with counselors, special education staff, English Learner staff, intervention teams, and classroom teachers to support student success.
Share responsibility for school-wide activities and events.

Manage the Music Program

Plan, organize, rehearse, and conduct performances that showcase student learning and support the school's music program.
Prepare students for concerts, festivals, adjudicated events, parades, athletic performances, community events, and other district-approved performances.
Attend and supervise students during assigned after-school rehearsals, concerts, performances, athletic events, competitions, festivals, field trips, and other school-sponsored activities.
Coordinate and participate in district-approved summer music activities, including summer band camp, as assigned.
Maintain inventory and ensure proper care, storage, repair, and maintenance of instruments, uniforms, music library materials, equipment, and instructional resources.
Operate instructional technology, sound equipment, multimedia resources, and other educational technology effectively.
Maintain accurate records related to student participation, inventory, performances, equipment, and program operations.
Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and other sensitive matters.

Engage in Continuous Professional Growth

Reflect regularly on instructional practice and student outcomes.
Seek feedback and engage in professional learning to strengthen content knowledge, conducting skills, pedagogy, and instructional practice.
Stay current with best practices in music education and instructional technology.
Contribute positively to school culture and shared leadership opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the principal or district administration.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise students during classes, rehearsals, performances, field trips, athletic events, and other school-sponsored activities.
No direct supervisory responsibility for employees.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Valid New Mexico Public Education Department Teaching License with appropriate Music endorsement (or eligibility to obtain).
Valid driver's license and proof of insurance if travel between district sites is required.
Ability to pass employment verification and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience teaching middle school and/or high school music.
Experience directing vocal and/or instrumental ensembles.
Experience supporting English Learners and/or students with disabilities.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Indigenous languages preferred.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Deep belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels.
Strong understanding of adolescent development and secondary music pedagogy.
Demonstrated expertise in vocal and/or instrumental music instruction.
Working knowledge of the instruments appropriate to assigned teaching responsibilities; choral directors should possess functional piano skills.
Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and asset-based teaching practices.
Ability to differentiate instruction while maintaining rigorous expectations for all students.
Ability to seek, reflect on, and act upon feedback to improve practice.
Ability to collaborate effectively while contributing positively to school culture.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, reliability, and organizational skills.
Ability to prioritize responsibilities, maintain accurate records, manage multiple projects, and work independently while meeting deadlines.

Physical Requirements

Sitting, standing, walking, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, climbing stairs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, frequent use of hands and fingers, moving classroom furniture and music equipment, and other physical activities typical of a secondary music classroom, rehearsal, performance, and marching environment.

Safety and Health

Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions, including bloodborne pathogens and appropriate health and safety procedures.

Work Environment

Work is performed in classroom, rehearsal, performance, and outdoor environments with varying levels of noise and activity. Frequent movement between instructional spaces and event venues may be required. This position requires a flexible work schedule that includes occasional evenings, weekends, and district-approved summer activities for rehearsals, concerts, festivals, athletic events, performances, family engagement events, professional learning, and summer band camp or other music program activities. Flexibility, professionalism, and the ability to work independently are essential.

Terms of Employment

As determined by the district calendar, Board-approved salary schedule, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. The work schedule includes responsibilities outside the regular instructional day, including rehearsals, performances, athletic events, festivals, competitions, and district-approved summer music activities, including band camp, as assigned.

Teacher | High School Band